FOOD HOLIDAY: National Strawberry Parfait Day | THE NIBBLE Blog - Adventures In The World Of Fine FoodFOOD HOLIDAY: National Strawberry Parfait Day – THE NIBBLE Blog – Adventures In The World Of Fine Food

In the U.S., a parfait is a layered sundae. It can be simple, with alternating layers of ice cream and syrup, or a mélange of ingredients as shown.

THE HISTORY OF THE PARFAIT

Parfait is the French word for “perfect.” The word means something different in France: It’s the original French sundae, made with a custard-base ice cream (“French” ice cream, made from a base of sugar syrup, egg, and cream); then flavored with fruit purée and whipped with a lot of air to a delicate texture.

The recipe can be made at home with no special equipment. It contains enough fat, sugar, alcohol and whipped air to allow it to be made by stirring infrequently, as it freezes (granita is made the same way).

The process interferes with the formation of ice crystals: As in the production of regular ice cream, the mix is agitated constantly while it freezes (or chemically by adding glycerol) [source].

In a French parfait, the ice cream is not scooped but pre-frozen in individual serving containers—typically the long, tapered parfait glasses, narrower versions of sundae dishes.

The frozen dessert dates to 1894. In France, parfait refers to a frozen dessert made from a base of sugar syrup, egg, and cream.

In America, a “parfait” became a particular type of sundae, different from the French parfait.

An American parfait layers syrup and other garnishes (originally, bright-colored fruit gelatin was used) between layers of ice cream, in a tall glass. It is then garnished with whipped cream, fruit, liqueurs, nuts, and these days, sprinkles and gummy bears. instead of adding them all on top like a sundae.

Check out the different types of ice cream preparations in our Ice Cream Glossary, along with the history of the parfait.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR PARFAIT

In the U.S., different types of parfait bases are used. Choose from this list to build your own, layer by layer:

Parfait Base

Ice cream/frozen yogurt

Pudding

Yogurt

Whipped cream

Fruit

Fresh or frozen berries

Other fresh fruit, sliced or diced (bananas, mango, anything goes)

Cake & Cookies

Cake cubes, plain or toasted

Crumbled cookies

Fillings/Toppings

Custard

Fruit purée

Liqueur

Whipped cream

Garnish

Berry

Chocolate shavings/chips

Coconut

One great thing about parfaits: You’ll never run out of combinations!

[1] An American-style strawberry ice cream parfait (photo courtesy Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board). [2] A fruit and yogurt parfait with granola. Here’s the recipe from Sugar Spice And Family Life. [3] A French-style parfait: no layers, just frozen creaminess. Here’s the recipe from Mondomulia, made with walnuts and walnut liqueur. [4] An American-style parfait with blueberry sauce and lemon custard. Here’s the recipe from Baking A Moment.